The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Lurie Children’s is staffed and equipped to manage the complex care of children with concurrent medical and psychiatric treatment needs. Our specialists help many young patients overcome depression, anxiety and other psychological or behavioral concerns related to their serious medical illness, as well as those children with primary mental health issues.

We believe in family-centered care. Research shows that family involvement is key to a child’s healing process. Through our family therapy sessions and parent education, you will gain support and training to more effectively care for and interact with your child. We also offer several outpatient treatment groups for children and families, as well as a program that helps older teens transition from pediatric to adult care.

Each of our mental health professionals brings dedication and specialized expertise to the individualized care that every patient receives. For hospitalized patients and those in the day program (Partial Hospitalization Program), our team members meet frequently to discuss each child’s progress and refine treatment goals and after-care planning. When appropriate, the department offers diagnostic tests such as developmental, psychological and neuropsychological. 

In addition to patient care and research, we also train healthcare professionals to become mental health specialists. We are committed to helping decrease the national shortage of child and adolescent mental health providers. 

The Center for Childhood Resilience​ works with Chicago Public Schools. Our expert staff teach a curriculum on social and emotional coping skills and help schools integrate behavioral health services into their efforts to help students, as well as training school professionals in how to address trauma in youth. 

Nationally-Ranked Care

Lurie Children's is nationally-ranked for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health by U.S.News World Report

Psychiatric & Psychological Conditions We Treat

Our physicians make every attempt to stay at the forefront of treatment advances, making sure they provide our patients with the best care possible. We take specialized and evidence-based approaches to providing psychiatric and psychological services for a wide-range of conditions.

Evaluations

Our clinicians will examine your child’s current challenges, strengths and functioning level, as well as their developmental, educational, family, medical and psychiatric history. Learn about the types of evaluations we provide below.

Developmental Evaluations
Neuropsychology Testing

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Specialists

Our multidisciplinary team includes:

  • Child and adolescent psychiatrists (MD or DO)
  • Child psychologists (PhD)
  • Advanced practice nurses (APN)
  • Psychiatric social workers (LCSW)
  • Pediatric nurses
  • Milieu therapists
  • Recreational therapists
  • Special education teachers (Inpatient and Partial Hospitalization)

The head of the department, John Walkup, MD, is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. 

Scott Compton, PhD

Vice Chair of Psychology and Chief Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

John Walkup, MD

Chair, Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Margaret C. Osterman Board Designated Professor in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Jeanne E. Antisdel, PhD

Jeanne E. Antisdel, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Richard A. Arend, PhD

Richard A. Arend, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sybil Baker, LCSW

Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Associate Director, School Mental Health: Interventions, Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR)

Ewa D. Bieber, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Moshe D. Bitterman, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sara Budowsky, LCSW

Collaborative Care Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Amanda N. Burnside, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jennifer K. Carlson, PhD

Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Colleen Cicchetti, PhD

Colleen Cicchetti, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Executive Director, Center for Childhood Resilience

Allison H. Clarke, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Thomas K. Cummins, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Caryn Curry, LCSW

Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director, Organizational Excellence, Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR)

Ellen Curtin, MSW, LCSW

Collaborative Care Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Priscilla H. Duong, PhD

Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Caitlin C. Engelhard, MD, PhD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Bonnie S. Essner, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Meredyth A. Evans, PhD

Medical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Rebecca Ford-Paz, PhD

Co-Director, Forensic Assessment for Immigration Relief (FAIR) Clinic; Clinical Child Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tara L. Gill, PhD

Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Karen Gouze, PhD

Karen R. Gouze, PhD

Psychologist and Mental Health Consultant, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Madeline Graber, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sydney R. Grant, LCSW

Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jeanne Greenblatt, MD

Jeanne Greenblatt, MD, MPH

Psychiatrist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Mallory Hilliard, LCSW, CADC

Clinical Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Clayton D. Hinkle, PhD

Clayton D. Hinkle, PhD, ABPP

Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Carmen Holley, LCSW

Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director, Early Childhood and Community Engagement, Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR)

Kelsey Howard, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Aliza Jaffe Sass, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, Lurie Children’s Primary Care - Town & Country Pediatrics

Aron C. Janssen, MD

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Lizabeth L. Jordan, PhD

Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Rebecca M. Kanine, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Shannon L. Kawa, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Caroline E. Kerns, PhD

Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Christy Ky, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

MaryBeth Lake, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

John V. Lavigne, PhD

Chief Psychologist and Medical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Megan K. Lerner, LCSW

Senior Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Clinical Coordinator, Trauma Treatment Service

Kimberly M. Lienhoop, MA, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Catrina C. Litzenburg, PhD, MEd

Pediatric Psychologist, Lurie Children’s Primary Care - Town & Country Pediatrics

Amanda K. Lossia, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Kelly W. Lowry, PhD

Kelly W. Lowry, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Lisa E. Mash, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Devin C. McNulty, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Heart Center

Kathryn M. Meyers, PhD

Katie Meyers, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Suzanne Millman, MA, LCSW

Psychiatric Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Justin A. Moore, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Elizabeth C. Moroney, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Katrina T. Obleada, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine

Jamie J. Pacis, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center

Jaclyn L. Papadakis, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Ben E. Parchem, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tapan K. Parikh, MD, MPH

Psychiatrist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

John Parkhurst, PhD

John T. Parkhurst, PhD

Child and Adolescent Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Coordinator, Mood Anxiety ADHD Collaborative Care (MAACC) Program

Lauren A. Pascarella, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Eric A. Peist, PhD

Child and Adolescent Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Marisa Perez-Reisler, MD

Marisa Perez-Reisler, MD

Psychiatrist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Alba Pergjika, MD, MPH

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jennifer E. Peterson, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sigita Plioplys, MD

Head, Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Clinic, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jonathan M. Pochyly, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Lauren Potthoff, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Stephanie K. Powell, PhD, ABPP

Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tali Raviv, PhD

Child Clinical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director, School Mental Health, Center for Childhood Resilience

Courtney Romba, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Edna Y. Romero, PhD

Medical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Anna Maria Ros, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Julie M. Sadhu, MD

Julie M. Sadhu, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director of Education, Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Training Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program

Megan N. Scott, PhD

Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Khushbu H. Shah, MD, MPH

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Medical Director of Psychiatric Acute Care Services; Director of School & Community Psychiatry Fellowship Rotation, Center for Childhood Resilience

Jenna B. Shapiro, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Miller Shivers, PhD

Staff Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jasleen Singh, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Mashana L. Smith, PhD

Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Associate Director, School Mental Health: Healing Centered Engagement, Center for Childhood Resilience

Jessie Solomon-Greenbaum, LCSW

Clinical Educator, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Andrea E. Spencer, MD

Vice Chair for Research, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Laurie G. Thompson, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Anthony T. Vesco, PhD

Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Keith V. Wallace, MDiv, MSW, LCSW

Senior Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jonathon W. Wanta, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jill Weissberg-Benchell, PhD, CDCES

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Amy L. Wilde, LCSW

Senior Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tareq Yaqub, MD

Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Frank A. Zelko, PhD

Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Courtney A. Zulauf-McCurdy, PhD

Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Alyssa Zwicker, PhD

Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Greg Gaffud, APRN-NP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Anna Ivanenko, MD, PhD

Member, Children's Community Physicians Association

Make an Appointment

We offer several scheduling options for your child's care needs. 

Our Locations

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000

Get Directions

Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park

2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362

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Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center

25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lake Forest

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital Campus
900 N. Westmoreland, Suite 110 (Bays Medical Office Building, 1st Floor)*
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
312.227.1010

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox

1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Westchester

Surgical Treatment Center
2301 Enterprise Drive
Westchester, Illinois 60154
312.227.7900

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center at 1440 N. Dayton

1440 N. Dayton St.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
1.800.543.7362

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook

1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600

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Research

Our specialists conduct research that helps improve the detection and treatment of childhood mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.

Psychiatry News & Stories

Lurie Children’s Helps Train Pediatricians to Screen Toddlers for Mental Health Risk, with Equity and Ethics in Mind

Clinicians from Lurie Children’s will address concerns around early detection of mental health challenges in children in  partnership with Northwestern University’s new Mental Health, Earlier Center funded by an $11.7 million award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health.  

Read more

Talking to Children about Tragedies in the News

Mental health experts offer tips on how to talk to kids about tragedies, instability and overwhelming news events.   

Read more

Kids' Wellness Matters Podcast Ep. 16: Navigating Infant & Toddler Challenges

Dr. Miller Shivers discusses strategies for managing issues many parents face at home such as infant anxiety, toddler tantrums, strengthening the parent-child bond and more.

Read more

Emergency Department Screening Identifies Suicide Risk in Nearly 80% of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

Transgender and gender diverse youth are more than five times more likely to screen positive for suicide risk compared to cisgender females, who tend to screen positive at higher rates than cisgender males, according to a new study from Lurie Children’s.

Read more

Mental Health-Related Emergency Room Trips Declined Significantly After Illinois Ended COVID-19 Lockdown

Scientists at Northwestern Medicine and Lurie Children’s found that in Illinois, youth emergency room visits and hospitalizations for depression and anxiety decreased after the COVID-19 shutdown and have plateaued at lower, pre-2016 rates.

Read more

Separation Anxiety in Children

Separation anxiety is very common in childhood, especially when starting a new experience. Learn what symptoms to look for, causes and how to help.

Read more

Philanthropy

Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500